Year Abroad at Peking University - PKU Past Review

By (East Asian Studies., Barnard College) for

CIEE: Beijing - Advanced Chinese Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wouldn't call it fun, but I have gained a lot from it.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Peking University
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+
The term and year this program took place: Full-Year 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My Chinese has obviously improved. However, Chinese universities cannot in any way compare to American universities. The lectures are a recitation of facts with no analysis; there is no discussion; no papers or exams are ever returned to students; and the readings are completely unnecessary. I've learned much from the experience of living in Beijing but not much from PKU.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Nobody knows what they're doing. No one can answer questions I have about PKU policies. They don't seem to have any connection with the university outside of the Chinese language program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

15 minute walk from campus, FX Hotel <br /><br /> I would have preferred to live alone (I have a roommate) but otherwise very good.

* Food:

Beijing food is overly greasy and unhealthy. The food on campus is worse.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't participate

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Health: the insurance provided by CIEE doesn't cover anything and isn't accepted in any hospital in China. Safety: China is very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $80 a week, but I spend more than most (I prefer to eat off campus and I take taxis occasionally)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There are many deposits necessary (400 RMB for the hotel room, 500 RMB for a library card, etc)

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
Language acquisition improvement?

My reading and writing has improved, as I am writing papers in Chinese. My listening has improved from listening to lectures. Speaking hasn't improved as much.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Modern History of International Relations

Course Department: School of International Studies
Instructor: Yuan Ming
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Prof. Yuan has been teaching this forever, so she has the lectures down. The midterm was very easy but the final was close to impossible. She seems very nice but is not often available.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not yet
Course Name/Rating:

Japanese politics

Course Department: School of International Studies
Instructor: Liang Yunxiang
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Very easy, very boring. I can't say I know anything about Japanese politics.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Northeast Asian Politics

Course Department: School of International Studies
Instructor: Chu Xiaobo
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: My favorite course. The lectures were very interest and the papers easily graded. The readings were great, and many of them in English.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Southeast Asian Politics

Course Department: School of International Studies
Instructor: Zhang
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Well organized, but only surface information, no analysis. Very difficult final.
Credit Transfer Issues: No